In 2017, Tony Banks of Blackpool Promotions became the new owner of the Ruskin Hotel on Albert Road, a long-established 71-bedroom hotel that had been a staple of Blackpool’s hospitality scene for over 80 years. The Ruskin, which had been owned by the same family for decades, was sold as the owners decided to retire. Banks, who already owned four other hotels in the area, including The Royal Carlton, The Royal Seabank, The Boston, and Southbank, announced plans for a £500,000 investment to breathe new life into the hotel. His vision included the addition of spa facilities, which he hoped would enhance the hotel’s appeal and bring it up to modern standards, as the building had become somewhat tired over the years.
Banks emphasised that this upgrade would also create new jobs and that he was excited about the future of the Ruskin Hotel, which would remain open throughout the refurbishment. The investment was part of a broader effort to improve Blackpool’s tourism infrastructure, as Mr. Banks already owned a significant number of rooms in the town, with a combined total of 400 across his properties. He also mentioned plans to further extend the Ruskin by acquiring neighbouring properties, aiming to continue developing the hotel’s offerings. This follows his earlier success with the Royal Carlton, which he bought and renovated in 2014 after it had been closed for several years due to fire damage. With these ambitious plans in place, Banks was confident that the Ruskin would continue to be a vital part of Blackpool’s hospitality landscape for many years to come.
Text source: Blackpool Gazette’swebsite
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